Schaal, Marc Lansin, Margis, Seewald, Karban and Pillath are all returning state medalists. Blanchard, Nowak and Salewski are part of a strong freshman class.

Margis, a three-time state qualifier, is wrestling at his best, according to Casper. Seewald is pinning nearly all of his opponents, and Schaal is getting back to 100 percent following an injury.

"I feel they have the potential to be a very good team," Casper said. "We have some darn-good individuals. The sky's the limit. But depth is a concern, so the Cougars need to stay healthy to reach their goals.

Zach Timblin, a quality 285-pounder, is out for the season due to a torn ACL.

"He would've been our anchor," Crivitz coach Matt Bernier said. "I think our outlook would've been a lot different if we had our heavyweight."Danny Tomaszewski and Chapman are two of the best wrestlers on the team.

A senior class that won a regional title in 2011 is gone, but the Wolverines are reloading around a good group of underclassmen. The team runs the gamut of experience between the upperclassmen and first-year wrestlers.

"Going into our first match we had five guys who had never worn a singlet," Bernier said. "We have some wide dynamics on our team right now. They're all good kids. There's lots of learning going on, but they understand that as a team they've got a lot to learn."

Mitch Szwet, who took second at state for Coleman 10 years ago, has taken over as Gillett/Suring's head coach. His assistants are former Cougar wrestlers Ben Cherney, Ryan Cherney and Greg Zeitler.

"We've all wrestled in the Coleman tradition and have the same beliefs," Szwet said.

Preston Fischer is sidelined because he had his appendix removed. Moede is mending a broken collarbone, Bryce Cibulka is sidelined by a concussion, and Timm is out with a dislocated shoulder.

"We're battling some injuries up and down the lineup," Szwet said.

Sophomores comprise the backbone of the team, according to the head coach.

"I think we lack experience but we're making up for it with hard work," Szwet said. "We have a ton of potential on our team. They have to really buy into the program and wrestle each match like it's our last."